Means for preserving food



May 1o, 1938.

Filed Dec. 26

c. oN. wElssER ET A1.

MEANS FOR PRESERVING FOOD 4 fr .5f

ATTORNEY 4 5 sheets-sheet 1 c. o'N.` wElss'ER ET 'AL 2,116,813

` MEANS FOR PRESERVING FOOD May V1o; 193s.

Filed Dec. 2e, 1935 s Sheets-sheet 2 INVENTRS Chor/as Oil IMP/55er.

En? .'re/:san BY aw ATTORNEY May 10, 1938., c. oN'. wErssL-:R ET AL* MEANS FOR PRESERVING Foon 3 Sheets-.Sheet 5 Filed Dec. ars, 1933 nNvENToRs YL N we R www0 a4/w, 0H A WW, 2

Patented May 1o, 193s 2,116,813

MEANS FORv PRESERVING FOOD Charles ON. Weisser and Ernest H. Scverson, Los Angeles. Calif. Y

Application December 26, 1933, Serial No. 703,880

Claims. (Cl. SIS-270) l This invention relates to a device for the preservention is best defined by the appended claims. vationl of foods, and especially by the aid of a Referring to the drawings: refrigerator. y I r Figure i is La pictorial view of a refrigerato In order to keep articles of fo'od such-as meat. in which the invention is incorporated;

5 poultry, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and Fig. 2 is a pictorial view of one of the contain- 5 iish, it is customary to utilize an ice box or a ers which may be used inconnection with the remechanical refrigerator. The food to be prerigerator shown in Fig. served for future consumption is usually placed Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional on trays or on shelves in the box; `or in the case view'of the container shown in Fig. 2, in conm of a store or butcher shop, the vendible food junction with an evacuating apparatus; commodities may be hung on hooks in a com- Fig. 4 is a'front elevation partly brolrenaway,v paratively large refrigerated chamber. In such of a modified formA of the invention; cases, there is the usual difculty that'repeated Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken opening ofthe box for removal or insertion of, along plane 5-5 of Fig'. 4;

food, exposes the food to constant contamination. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section of a control 15 lurthermore, some foods, such as milk and butvalve utilized, in connection with the form of the ter, readily take on a disagreeable odor or avor, invention shown in Fig. 4; f or both, due to its perlneationv of odors from Fig. '7 is a front elevation, partly broken away, other foods, such as meat, fish, or cantlstloupes.` of still another form of the invention;

prove in general, the mode of refrigeration of of a further modiied form of the invention; and

perishable foods. Figs. 9 and 10 are enlarged sectional views It is another object of the invention to obvitaken respectively along planes 9-9 and Ill-l0 ate the disadvantages (such as outside contamiof Fig. 8.

V nation and absorption of odor and iiavor) present In the form of the invention illustrated in 25 in prior systems of refrigeration. Figs. 1, 2 andr 3, there is shown a conventional These objects are attained by providing sealed type. of refrigerator. This refrigerator can be 4 compartments held below atmospheric pressure, provided if necessary withfa mechanical refrigerin which the food is placed. In this way, several ating system, or it can be refrigerated by the important results are obtained. The food is kept. aid of ice. It includes in general a compartment 30 sealed against emission or absorption of odors 2, in which are located the usual grid shelves 3. and flavors; the pressure in the sealed container A hinged door 4 can be provided for the front of being below atmospheric, 4the protection against the refrigerator I. putrefaction is very materially improved over Articles of food may of course be placed dimererefrigeration; and the act of evacuation also rectly on the shelves 3; this is the usual mode of 35 automaticaliy'acts to seal the container. using a refrigerator: However, in the present It is another object of the invention to provide instance there are provided one or more evacua convenient container oi the character speciated containers adapted to be placed inside of ed, which can readily be sealed and evacuated, the compartment 2. These Acontainers are illus- 40 It is another 'object of the invention to proated at 5' and one 0f them is Shown in g1' eater 40 vide a combined refgeration, evacuating and detail in'Fig. 2.V The sealed evacuated containers Sealing System that is reliable and eecuve in 5 can serve effectively to assist in the preservation l operation of food plgced threii; and also in grevgtig This egress or gress o o ors or vors. ue e tages mvhggs myh otherbeadvz' evacuation of the container 5, the danger of con- 45 J s W c tay m e tamination by contact with germ ladened air is more easily apparent from a consideration of ve'ry materially dum The degree of vacuum several embodiments of the invention. For this may be quite substantial; fmexample the prey purpose there are shown few formsin the draw' sure inside of the container may be reduced to 50 ings aCOmng and forming Part 0f th PreS- one-half or less of ordinary atmospheric pres- 50 ent specication. These forms shall now desure. These containers 5 in the form shown in scribed in detail. illustrating the general prin- Figs. 1, 2, and 3, are arranged to be removable ciples of the invention: but it is to be understood for the purpose of nliing with food articles as well that this detailed description is not to be taken as of facilitating its evacuation. Thus these con- Vin a limiting sense, since the scope of the intainers are shown as supported in a frame 6 55 It is one of the objects of this invention to irn- Fig. 8 is a front elevation partly broken away 20 shown as suspended from the top of the compartment 2. Appropriately spaced supports may be provided in the frame 6 for each of the containers 5. To facilitate removal and insertion into the frame 6, each of the containers 5 can be provided with a pull handle 1.

In order to ensure cleanliness and durability,

the main body of the container 5 aslwell as its cover 8 can conveniently be made from appro- 10 priate material, such as glass or metal, or porcelain enameled metal.

. 'I'he arrangement is preferably such that the act of evacnatingthe container 5 while the cover 8 is in place :also serves to seal the container by the aid of the air pressure acting on the outside surface of the cover 8. One mode in which this can be eiected is shown Lto best advantage in Fig.

3. It is there `seen that thekupper wall of container 5 is widened to provide a groove E. In this groove is provided a compressible gasket I@ which f is thus placed between the cover 8 and the container 5. When the container 5 is evacuated,

the gasket Itis slightly compressed by the pressure of the outside air and the container is there- I by sealed.

Evacuation of the container to the desired degree is obtained by the aid of a vacuum producing mechanism of any convenient type. However, ,it is preferred to Vuse an aspirator or ejector type of evacuator, depending upon the dow oi liquid such as water, past an opening connecting with the interior of the container 5. This mechanism is shown at the left hand portion of Fig. 3. It includes bocLv it having a liquid inlet nipple and a water outlet nipple'i. Nipple 9| can be detachably connected to a source of water supply, such as the ordinary kitchen faucet. Water flows in past a helical vane I3 located in nipple II, and through'a constricted throat I5 located in the body IB. The constricted openingli forms virtuauya venturi throat through which ue water passes, and which joins thediverging opening leading'to the outlet nipple i2. The water owing from outlet nipple I2 can be led to'any appropriate drain. Thepassage of water past the throat I5 is thus accelerated by the action of the venturi, and as it passes past an opening I8 in the wall of the body I6, asuction eiect vis produced in a manner now well understood. This opening I8 leads to a nipple I9 threaded into the body I6." This nipple i3 canbe connected as by a iiexible rubber hose 29 or the like with the interior of the container 5. 'As indicated in Fig. 3, the flexible connection 28 is of indefinite length, and is made to suit requirements. p

The container 5 has an aperture 2| in which is securely fastened anipple structure 212. This is accomplished for example, by threading the external surface of nipple structure 22 and causing it to engage corresponding threads in aperture 2i. To render the connection :duid tight, yielding washers 23-24 as of rubber or the like may be placed over each of the projecting Darts of the structure 22; and checknuts 25 and 25 can be threaded over the nipple body and tightened againstlwashers 23-24 respective r The exible connectionl 20 can have its end stretched over the nipple connection 21 extending from the nipple body.22 Thus the, connection 20 connects thev interior of container 5 with the nipple I3.

In order to maintain the vacuum inside of container 5 after the evacuating apparatus is disconnected therefrom, there is provided a valve Vfrom the connection member 21.

which automatically acts to close the opening through nipple structure 22. A valve seat is formed for example as by the aid of a plug 28 threaded into the nipple body, and having a` through aperture 29. Cooperating with this plug is a valve closure member 3| fastened to a valve stem 32 which extends through the aperture 29. This valve stem is also extended to form a headed rod 33 beyond the connection end 21. A compression spring 34 is inserted between a shoulder of the closure member 3| and a sliding collar `35 which engages an inner shoulder 36 formed in the inside of nipple body 22. The closure member 3| preferably carries a compressible washer 31, such as of rubber, to ensure a tight closure.'

It Is apparent. that when the evacuating apparatus is operating, the spring 34 is compressed due to the suction inthe connection 20. This causes the valve closure 3| to move to the left and thus to open the valve for the egress of air from container 5 around the stem 22. As soon as the suction ceases, the spring 34 acts to seat the closure 3|. This closing action is assisted by atmospheric pressure when hose 20l is removed This evacuation of container 5 serves to seal the cover 8,

vand also assists ih maintaininglthe valve 3| in closed position, dueto the diierential in pressure between the insideand the outsideY of the container..

'Ihis evacuation operation can be performed readily while the container 5 is removed from the refrigerator I, and after the food to be preserved is placed therein. The combinedl action of refrigeration and evacuation ensures a very longperiod of preservation, impossible of attainment by only one of these two features. When it is desired, howeveryto remove the food from. container 5, it is a simple matter`to break the vacuum and thereby release the lcover 8. This can be done by simply pulling outwardly on the rod 33, which causes the. valve 3| to unseat and to permit the passage of atmospheric air through the nipple structure 22 into container 5.

As shown in Fig. 2, the cover 8 can, if desired, be provided with a knob v38 for facilitating removal thereof.

In the form just described, the evacuation of container .5 can be maintained by periodic use oi.' the evacuating apparatus for a few minutes. In the form shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the arrange- *ment is such that the evacuation is automatic.

In thisform a refrigerator 39 is indicated having a latched main door 40. It is shown as being pressor 42 drivenv thereby, for use in the refrigerating vsystem in a well understood manner.

vThe electric motor 4|, which serves as a source of motion for driving the mechanical refrigerating system, can be automatically controlled as by' the automatic switch 43 illustrated diagrammatically. This automatic control of motor 4| can be accomplished in vaccordance with temperature or pressure conditions, or both, as is these containers without opening the main door 40; `although it may be possible and it is sometimes preferable to have the doors located within the main refrigerated compartment.v

provided with an electrimotor 4|- and a comof the door.

upwardly as viewedin t l. Ilihis pump has a suction conduit 1 branched so that it is in communication with each one of the containers it. It is thus apparent that whenever electric'motor il is intermittently operated, the vacuum pump 46 is also operated for the same period, and evacuation takes place.

Each ci the doors is arranged to coact with a. exible gasket dit ,(Fig; 5)"s that evacuation of the container serves to urge the door 45 into sealing relation withthe container. In the present instance each of the doors is shown as pivoted on a hinge such as 49 andwprovided with a knobsil for facilitating the opening and closing Any convenient means can be provided for holding door 45 closed before the evacuation is sufficient to do so.

When it is desired to open any one of the con. tainers 44, it is of course necessary to break theA vacuum. This is accomplished by pulling outwardly on the knob 50. Each 'of these knobs has a rod 5I extending into an aperture 52 in the door, and urged inwardly as by compression spring 53. Thus ln-norma1 position the tapered closure 54 arranged on the inner side of the knob 5d seats against the edge of aperture 52, and keeps the container 44 sealed. However, upon pulling `outwardly on the knob 59 this seal can be broken and air can pass around the rod 5I into the container 4t. j

It is also advisable to. close oi communication between the container 44 and the vacuum conduit 41 whenever the door is opened; for otherwise the seal would be broken for all of the' containers 44. This is accomplished by the aid of an automatic valve mechanism illustrated to best advantage in Figs. Sand 6. The `vacuum conbody 55 intermediate the vacuum pump and the container 44 under consideration. This valve body has a valve seat 56 with which cooperates a valve closure 51. This valve closure is joined to a long rod 5t extending out of the valve body 5t. The valve closure ing position by a compression spring 59 placed and acting against awasher When the door 45 is closed, the rod 58 is urged Fig. 5 to open the valve 55, against the force of the comparatively weak spring 59. In this way thevacuum connections are established while the door is closed. To push the rod 58 upwardly when the door F closes, use is made of a lever 62 pivoted at one end in the -door 45 and having an end contacting with the lower extremity oi rod 68. Lever 621s pivotally joined atan intermediate point to rod 5l. Spring 53 is strong enough to keep lever 62 in the position indicated, overcomingf the force of spring 59.r However. as soon as knob 60 is pulled, lever` 62 is pulled downwardly, releasing rod 58 and permitting the valve 66 to close, thereby interrupting communication between the vacuum conduitv 41' and the particular container 44 under consideration.

In lieu of the mechanically actuated vacuum pump 46, it is possible of course to utilize an ejector system similar to that shown in Fig. 3.

51' is urged toward closf -to be opened only Such a forni of the invention'is shown inFig. '1. In this form the doors 13 of containers 63 are shown as located inside of a compartment (it of a refrigerator 65, which may be an ordinary ice refrigerator having a away the water resulting lfrom the melting ice.

In this instance the main compartment 64 is adapted to be closed by hinged door 68. A vacuum producing apparatus 69, acting by the pasdrain 66. A trap 61 mayV be provided beneath the drain 66 for carrying sage of liquid past an opening communicating with the containers 63;r is adapted to be operated by the `passage of discharging into the trap 61. 'I'he apparatus 69 is connected as by conduit 12, through a branch pipe leading to each of of doors 13 has a control knob 14, similar to knob described in connection with Figs. 4, 5 and 6. Furthermore, -if desired,v an automatic, pressure controller 15 can be provided to cause a valve 16 when the pressure in container 63 reaches a limiting' high value. Valve 16 thus controls, the operation oi the vacuum producing means 69.

The advantages of combined refrigeration and evacuation for the preservation of vfoods, and for preventing contamination can be readily obtained for large commercial installations. stallation is shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, adapted to be used for example in a butcher shop, or the like.

In 'this form refrigerated container of the invention, there is a large 16 having a large hinged door 11. This door can be provided with the usual handle 18, as well as a nger control crank 19. This crank-operates on avalve plunger 80 acting to break the vacuum inside of the refrigerated container. viding aconical valve closure `8| cooperating with a similarly formed valve seat 82` formed around an aperture extending through door 11. The closure 8| is normally held in closed position by the compression spring 83, as well as by air pressure duit n is there shown as provided with a valve acting n the outside of the d0" n' the refrigerating compartment the aid of a vacuum conduit Evacuation of is accomplishedby .84 leading to an evacuating pump 85. Thispump "can be driven by an electric motor 86. .a pressure control 81 can be provided for motor 85, to cause it to evacuate the refrigerating compartment whenever the pressure therein is undesirably high. This can be accomplished as by causing the pressure control `81 to act on a switch mechanism 88 ,controlling the motor 66. v

It is also desirable to ensure that the motor 86 will be deenergized whenever the door 11 is opened, irrespective of the pressure conditions. 10, one edge of the door 11 can act against a plunger 89 located in a recess 80 in the wall-o1 the refrigerator. When the door 11 is closed, plunger 89 serves to lpress the two resilient contact arms 9i and 92 together to complete the. circuit for motor 86. When the door 11 is opened, the natural resilience of arms 9| and 92 causes them to separate, thereby ensuring an interruption inthe ow of v current to motor B6.

water downwardly through a Vconduit 10 and out through conduit 1I, inally Such an in- Thisls accomplished by pro-` the containers 63. Each breaking the seal when it is de- We claim: i

1. In combination, a refrigerator, a container therein, a door for the door, means for evacuating the container, and means, supported on the door, for permitting at will, the entry of air into the container, aswell as for disconnecting the evacuating means from the container.

2. In combination, a mechanical refrigerator.

having an intermittently actuated source of motion for operating the refrigerator, a.l plurality of containers in said refrigerator, each of said containers having a cover, common means for evacuating the containers and thereby causing sealing of the covers, said means being connected to the source of motion, and means whereby any one of the covers can be unsealed at will without destroying the seal of the other containers.

3. In combination, a food container, a door therefor, a gasket for thel door, means forming an opening from the container to permit evacuation thereof, a valve for the opening urged toward closing position, means on the door adapted to resiliently maintain the valve in open position when the door is shut, valve means on the door adapted to admit air to the container and operable from the exterior of the door, the rst mentioned means and the valve means being conthe container, a .gasket for nected so that opening the valve means permits the valve to close.

4. In combination, a refrigerator, and a containcr therein, said container having a cover as well as a sealing gasket between the cover and container, and provided with means for optionally evacuating the container and for sealingA the cover by air pressure external of the cover, or for admitting 'air to the container to permit release of the cover, said evacuating and air admitting means including a common control member and valve means controlled by the member.

5. In combination, a refrigerator having an intermittently operated electric motor for operating the refrigerator, a container in the'refrigerator, a vacuum pump for levacuating the container, means forming a sealing cover for the container, said cover sealing the container due to the evacuation of the container, means for permitting entry of air at will into the container for opening it, means for disconnecting the container from the vacuum pump,l and means whereby operation of the means for permitting entry of air into the container will cause substantially simultaneous actuation of the said disconnecting means.

CHARLES o'N. ,WEISSER ERNEST H. sEVERsoN. 

